Miami FC press release:
Miami, March 18, 2009 – After months of rumors and speculation,
Traffic Sports officially announced today that Miami FC will be back
to play in USL-1, one of North America’s two professional soccer
leagues, in 2009. Traffic Sports, which has had offices in South
Florida for nearly 20 years (formerly Inter/Forever Sports), has
always had the best interests of South Florida in mind, but a
combination of lesser than expected fan and community support during
the first three seasons and the confusion caused by the Miami MLS bid
which was only officially withdrawn two weeks ago, led to uncertainty
regarding the future of Miami FC and professional soccer in South
Florida.
“Traffic Sports is one of the leading soccer companies in the world.
Soccer is our life. And we have had our North American headquarters
in South Florida for nearly 20 years. So this is our home and we want
soccer to succeed here. The love and support we have received for
Miami FC over the past few weeks gives us the encouraging glimpse of
the potential of soccer in South Florida that we needed to feel in
order to move forward. Although we did not reach the 5,000
ticket-package target, the 1,250 we sold are a good start and give us
reason for optimism,” said Julio Mariz, CEO of Traffic Sports
worldwide.
“Now, more than ever, we must unite and work together to build the
community by supporting our local professional sports teams including
professional soccer - Miami FC. Considering South Florida’s status as
one of the most international cities in the world and the gateway to
Latin America, South Florida must have a strong professional soccer
team and host major international soccer events. I am very encouraged
by the support we have seen over the past two weeks, but now is not
the time to let up; this is our new beginning. The future of soccer
in South Florida depends on all of us. And now thanks to the
community’s response and Traffic’s continuing vision and support, we
still have our professional team to cherish, nourish and grow South
Florida soccer to the level we all would like to see and the world has
always expected,” stated Miami FC’s President, Aaron Davidson.
Traffic and Miami FC have been actively planning for the prospect of
playing in 2009. The USL-1 regular season begins in exactly one month
– April 18th - with Miami FC kicking it off when the team hosts the
Cleveland City Stars, 2008 USL-2 Champions. Traffic and Miami FC are
still evaluating several options for home stadium/stadia and training
facility/facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The team will
begin announcing player signings over the next few days and pre-season
is scheduled to begin next week. The team is also planning to hold a
special open tryout in April to give prospective players - especially
local talents - the opportunity to play for the only professional
soccer team in South Florida.
“From the day I joined Traffic and Miami FC about a month ago, I’ve
been working with the mindset that Miami FC would play in 2009. So
under the circumstances, I am about as prepared as I could possibly
be. I have been working very closely with Luiz Muzzi and Zinho and
look forward to fielding a competitive Miami FC in 2009,” declared
Fernando Clavijo, Director of Soccer for Traffic Sports and Miami FC.
For more information regarding Miami FC and how to support the team
and soccer in South Florida, visit
www.miamifc.com or call
305-377-2700. Adult 20-ticket flex packages are $200 and
children/student 20-ticket flex packages are $100.
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